San Francisco Courts To Participate In Online Restraining Order Registry

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – California’s county courthouses and law enforcement officers in the field are being connected by a new online system to better protect victims of domestic violence.

A system that allows police officers around the state to immediately verify restraining orders issued by distant courts will soon include those made by San Francisco judges.

Officers responding to domestic violence calls can access scanned images of restraining orders while they’re in the field, buying critical, life-saving moments, said David Loo, project manager for the California Courts Protective Order Registry.

“It becomes a dangerous situation, especially when the orders that are issued have different conditions. Sometimes orders will get issued out with conflicting expiration dates, different child custody terms,” he said.

KCBS’ Doug Sovern Reports:

Quickly sorting out those details avoids confusion and gives officers the time to act decisively.

Santa Clara and Marin counties are among the 21 counties already participating in the registry. San Francisco will start submitting its restraining orders to the database in early 2011, Loo said.

The Judicial Council’s Administrative Office of the Courts is trying to secure funding to make the database statewide.